Is this a jerk move?

I think that trading needs to be mandatory; I don't see anything negative about it. Honestly, scouting live is great, but there are issues there as well. If you don't have the resources, coaches, or convenient schedule, you may not be able to scout the other teams consistently

Plus, as good as scouting is, it's great to have a film to break down. It's tough to pick up on some of the more subtle tendencies when you scout live; it's better to have a film in front of you.

Agreed, silly not to trade your the only thing your doing is saving him a trip to your game or your opponents game. Just be clear that you would also like to receive some films from him in the future.

Also save something special offensively for him when you play him. A little surprise or something you didn't run in last game.

Last year, we were having trouble getting film from everyone. So, our HC sent our first two games to EVERYONE in the conference. By taking the high road, he avoid a pissing match with the other programs, established some good faith, and we didn't have an issue with film for the rest of the year.

We use GFS (Greater Film Service) around here; worth it. It's an internet/server based program that allows all teams in our conference to upload film from week to week. The film is stored, so we have access to every single piece of film from the entire year. The film is also saved from year to year; makes it easy to put together high-light videos.

...I guess we're lucky - we had three crews out filming tonight because we want our level of preparation to be determined by us. It is not a conference rule to trade, but every other team does.
Funny thing is, they've ostracized one school that always has a ton of talent, and we primarily trade film with them for scouting purposes but do not trade with future opponents.
For the record, I wouldn;t trade with him BECAUSE we have people willing to help in that regard so we will always be prapared in the future. If we didn't have those peopel around, then perhaps I'd feel differently. As far as getting the other team prepared, that is someone else's problem. I know some will disagree, but I am not concerned with their problems.

just FYI: In most IL conferences, coaches trade two games. Filming while scouting is illegal, so trading isn't even a question. every now and then, you'll run across some a-hole who won't trade, but in my experience, it's pretty rare.

...if it were a state championship game, would you trade your opponent your last two games if you already had film on them?
If so, then good for you.
Our school once lost in week one to a team 28-6, then our coaching staff knew the road to a state title went through them. So, they scouted them every week the rest of the season, and filmed them whenever possible. Lo and behold, they matched up in the state final and we ran all over them, kid set a state record with like 440 rushing yards and we destroyed them. If the opposing team's coach had called in the week leading up to the game, what should our head coach have done?
Option A: Trade him two games, thus nullifying all the hard work his staff had done to win.
Option B: Thanks, but no thanks.
We have at least another state title because of the hard work of our coaching staff in that season. To me, that's what it takes and that is why I am so adament (sp?) about doing your homework. I understand the rules are different in other areas, prohibiting filming opponents and such.

I ahve to echo the many sentiments that you should trade. When I was coaching at a large high school I really hated when coaches wouldn't trade film. I also wanted as much film as I could get my hands on, regardless of whether we saw them in person.

they had the same opportunity to scout as you did

for what it's worth, we ended up trading. I now think it was the right thing to do.

Coach, it depends, I did that once a few years ago....note I said ONCE, I'll never do it again. 2003 We played a team that was from another league, in the city being Mr. nice guy we sent him video of a scrimmage he sent us some game film......except it was from 2 years prior.

The offense was similar, but the blocking schemes were different, they went into formations not on the tape...ETC..we were duped,

Talk about deception. Long story short we won, but we were very buisy on the sideline at halftime making changes

dc207,

I don't know what state you are in, but in PA it is required to exchange tapes for both district and state playoffs including the championship game. A previous thread covered alot of the arguments about trading film, it looks like every state has different rules concerning exchanges so what is a big deal to some is not an issue for others. I'm surprised the Federation hasn't addressed the issue, after all they are concerned about such important things as wristbands, you would think film exchange would be a little higher on the list.

Either way, trading is a professional courtesy and no I am not one of those lazy coaches, our JR high coaches are out taping every week.